TWELVE months ago these sides met and Vic Country came away with a convincing win. Fast forward to now and it is expected to flip on its head with the Allies better prepared than ever, and with clearly its strongest side in history.

NEED TO KNOW

Date: Sunday, June 14
Time: 10:00am (local) | 9:30am (ACST) | 8:00am (AWST)
Venue: Blacktown International Sportspark

TEAMS:

Allies:

B: Ashleigh Barlow – Rose Bell – Alana Fraser
HB: Charlotte Tidemann – Morgan Stevens – Evie Bingham
C: Frances Walsh – Matilda Lange – Isla Judd
HF: Evie Ward – Jordan Davis – Peggy Rock
F: Kayla Ilett – Majella Day – Ava Horneman
R: Lauren O’Sullivan – Evie Bowie – Aurelia Russell
INT: Marika Carlton – Emma Haley – Evie Henley – Layla May – Lolita Savala

Note: Rough starting lineup based on team named

>> FULL SQUAD

Vic Country:

B: Georgia Garlick – Meyah Fursland – Issy Boulton
HB: Scarlett Marsh – Milly Shortal – Zoe Zach
C: Lacey Nihill – Carmela Perri – Lily Milner
HF: Grace Dillow – Greea McKeegan – Olivia Holmes
F: Eliza Roche – Amelia Hamod – Hannah Griffiths
R: Sophie White – Ava Bilyk – Beth Morris
INT: Jemma Andrews – Claudia Collins – Lila Evans – Evi Irving – Shiloh Little

Note: Rough starting lineup based on team named

>> FULL SQUAD

MISSING IN ACTION

The Allies will be without two of its stars for the entire carnival with both National Academy member Grace Tracey and Darcie Prosser-Shaw recovering from long-term knee injuries. Oakleigh Chargers skipper Zoe Curry will also miss game one but won’t be too far away. Vic Country has the bulk of its list available, with only Dandenong Stingrays skipper Gabrielle Mehrmann and Murray Bushrangers’ Skylah McPherson among the original Country hub top-agers to miss from the side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Allies:

The Allies have an elite backline that has a real mixx of talls and smalls, headliend by AFLW Academy member Charlotte Tidemann. She and fellow Swans Academy defender Ashleigh Barlow will be key in transitioning the ball, while Rose Bell is a rebounding machine and Alana Fraser and Morgan Stevens also compete well in the air and use it effectively too. Essentially, the Allies have an entire defence of players who not only intercept and transition the ball but can be deadly by foot.

The in-form Frances Walsh on the wing always steadies any side she is in, while the Swans Academy midfield that featured Evie Bowie and Aurelia Russell tore apart the Vic Metro midfield when they played Eastern Ranges, so there is no reason they can’t do it here. Add in the pick one favourite for next year in Matilda Lange and the midfield is a big tick.

Perhaps the one question mark might be on how the forwardline will function, with plenty of talented marking targets, but many of whom are used to being either the first or second forward. Some will be relegated to fourth or fifth. It will stretch other sides’ defence, but any one of Majella Day, Jordan Davis, Ava Horneman, Lolita Savala or Kayla Ilett can be a marking target, with National Academy members Evie Ward and Evie Bingham also strong in the air.

Vic Country:

Vic Country’s biggest advantage over the Allies comes in the ruck where Sophie White (184cm) and her likely back-up in Stingrays teammate Amelia Hamod (186cm) should win 90 per cent of the hitouts at the least. The pair will tower over the Allies rucks who might well be Lauren O’Sullivan (171cm) to start with, while Jordan Davis (178cm) has the extra height but will be more used forward.

The Country midfield is tough with lots of contested ball-winning options including Carmela Perri, Beth Morris and Lila Evans, while Jemma Andrews can also provide height around the stoppages or play in a key post. The experience of Grace Dillow from last year will help, whil her Gippsland teammate Lily Milner and Bendigo Pioneers utility Lacey Nihill will also get their chances in there.

Greea McKeegan is the other National Academy member with White and should play between wing and half-forward, while Dandenong Stingrays’ abundance of players including Zoe Zach, Scarlett Marsh and Evi Irving will add run and carry, as will left-footers, Bendigo Pioneers defender Georgia Garlick and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels midfielder/defender Milly Shortal.

KEY MATCHUP

Evie Bowie (Allies) vs. Ava Bilyk (Vic Country)

If we get Round 2 of this clash from earlier in the Talent League season, then fans will enjoy the show. The pair went about their business up at the very same venue, racking up 30-plus disposals each and being two of the best three on the ground (Lolita Savala kicked eight). Both move the ball well offensively and can compete inside and out with enormous natural talent.

WHERE THE GAME IS WON

The only issue that the Allies will have to work out before a ball is bounced is in the ruck, with a variety of defenders or forwards taking the stoppage against bonafide rucks in particular, White. It will be a lopsided count, but if the midfielders can shark it and get it forward, then they will be incredibly dangerous.

The defence of the Allies looks way too strong to have a high score kicked on them, which is why they loom as the dark horse in the title race. They have a mix of talls and smalls who can run while remaining accountable, and have the height up forward to do a lot of damage. Vic Country will have to use the ball exceptionally well when looking to craft passes inside 50.

PREDICTION:

It should be a fairly comfortable win to the Allies all things being fair, with the defence, midfield and attack all very strong. Vic Country will always bring a contested appetite and be competitive with a host of quality players, but the depth and versatility of the Allies – not to mention the amount of players who can execute by foot consistently – looks to be too much.